KOSPI Starts Higher... "Volatile Market for the Time Being"

On the 13th, the domestic stock market started on an upward trend.

As of 9:10 AM that day, the KOSPI index was at 2,423.64, up 13.98 points (0.58%) from the previous close. Individuals and foreigners were net sellers of 31 billion KRW and 5.4 billion KRW respectively, while institutions were net buyers of 35.7 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization groups in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) market, most stocks were rising except Hyundai Motor Company (-0.06%). Samsung Electronics was trading up 0.43% at 70,800 KRW, and SK Hynix (1.99%), NAVER (1.34%), and POSCO Holdings (1.56%) showed strength in the early trading session.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "The Korean stock market is expected to continue a volatile trend influenced by major real economy indicators such as the US October Consumer Price Index (CPI), retail sales and industrial production in the US and China, US budget negotiations, and the lingering effects of the domestic short-selling ban." She added, "It is necessary to prepare for increased volatility in the domestic market due to US-origin political uncertainties during the week," and "The aftereffects of supply-demand distortions caused by the short-selling ban will continue, leading to relatively higher volatility."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 793.57, up 4.26 points (0.54%) from the previous close. Individual investors were net buyers alone with 34.7 billion KRW, while foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 19.4 billion KRW and 14 billion KRW respectively.

Among the top market capitalization groups in KOSDAQ, secondary battery stocks such as EcoPro (1.31%) and POSCO DX (1.04%) were rising in the early session. On the other hand, Alteogen (-2.01%) and HPSP (-1.70%) were weak. Rainbow Robotics rose 1.99%, re-entering the top 10 in KOSDAQ market capitalization.